Hispanic flavours for Hull with new authentic Latin restaurant

A new eatery concept celebrating Latin food and culture is set to open its doors in Hull city centre.

Chef Nick Hill is launching his new venture, The Hispanist, in the city’s Victorian shopping mall Paragon Arcade with his partner Alex Spurr.

Located in the former Treat Box sweet shop unit in the arcade, The Hispanist is set to open in September, creating four to five jobs and with an initial dining capacity of around 40 covers.

Nick first discovered his passion for Hispanic culture as a teenager, and has spent time living and working in Spain. He hopes that this venture will be a way to bring the tastes of Spain, Mexico and South America to his hometown.

He said: “I had the idea a long time ago because it’s the type of food that not many people do well in this country. Places tend to serve Tex Mex, and not many people know what real Mexican food is.”

The Hispanist is the latest independent business to join the revived Paragon Arcade site, situated between Paragon Street and Carr Lane, and joins existing tenants Marla’s Deli, White Rabbit Chocolatiers, 80 Days Bier Markt, Milk hair salon, Belle & Benjamin baby clothing and Koda Interior.

Nick added: “Paragon Arcade is the ideal location. I used to pass through it and think I would love to open a place in there and be a part of the community of businesses who are all helping each other out.”

Bought by Allenby Commercial in 2017, the arcade has been transformed by the property investment firm from a thoroughfare to a destination in its own right.

Georgia Allenby, design and marketing manager at Allenby Commercial, said: “When we bought Paragon Arcade our vision was to provide stylish, functional and affordable units in a fantastic location which would attract quality independent businesses who would work together to create a community feel and bring yet more variety to our city centre.

“We’re continuing to work towards that. People spend time in [Paragon Arcade], eating, drinking, browsing and buying. The Hispanist will bring something different yet again.”